Intellectual Property Counsel - Qualified European Patent Attorney

Main Purpose:

• Create globally and efficiently the IP prerequisites for specific User Experience (UX) technologies and products. 
• Follow the UX IP strategy to build and manage a strong patent portfolio, especially as new technologies and organizational changes arise.
• Ensure that R&D and products can operate freely without infringing on third-party IP rights.
• Work closely with UX R&D, Strategy, and the IP Practice Group to manage IP risks and explore opportunities.

Responsibilities: ​​​​

• Handle invention disclosures and draft patent applications, including preparing responses to office actions within a specific technical area of the UX portfolio. Support IP attorneys with filing and follow-up of applications.

• Provide IP counsel within a specific technical area of the UX portfolio.

• Defend IP rights in the BA UX field, aligned with the patent strategy for that technical area.

• Manage the IP portfolio by participating in regular patent committee meetings with UX R&D Strategy and IP UX experts.

• Support the IP BA UX head and UX R&D/ Strategy in defining national and international patent filing strategies, including cost-benefit and efficiency analysis, as well as M&A activities, contracts and RFQs.

• Implement processes and support BA UX to ensure technical compliance for IP for BA UX within a specific technical subfield within the general portofolio.

• Develop risk mitigation options (e.g., licensing, invalidation, design-around) and advise BA Management accordingly.

• Analyze third-party patent claims to assess potential risks. Develop and implement strategies to defend against third-party claims.

• Identify IP opportunities within the patent portfolio (e.g., licensing, selling, enforcement), including litigation.

• Assist the IP BA UX head and Legal team with IP-related litigation in the UX area.

• Conduct IP training sessions to share knowledge with the BA UX R&D/Strategy teams.

• Organize and lead invention workshops and support participating inventors.

• Calculate inventor remuneration regularly and handle related requests in the specific technical areas.

• Collect sales and usage data needed for inventor remuneration in the relevant fields.

• Guide inventors and help resolve remuneration-related conflicts, supporting the IP BA UX head in managing disputes.

•  A university degree in engineering or natural sciences (e.g., Physics, Chemistry), with at least a Master's, Diploma, or an equivalent academic qualification.
• Must be a qualified European Patent Attorney (professional representative before the European Patent Office), with or without national representation rights.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in the field of intellectual property (IP), preferably with at least 5 years in an industrial or corporate setting.
• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken is essential.

Pay for Performance:

• Achievement Bonuses and Rewards;
• Relocation support for non-Timisoara Residents;
• Recommendation Bonuses for new team members;
• Flexibility Program including flexible hours, mobile work and sabbaticals.

Wellbeing:

• Health & Wellness (Private Health Subscription, Life Insurance, Sport activities etc.);
• Different discounts (glasses, tires, medical, shopping);
• In-house restaurant & coffee corners.

Life-Long Learning:

• Access to e-learning platforms;
• Dedicated Programs and Conferences;
• Free Language Courses (English, German, French etc)
• Career development opportunities (local and international);
• Internal development communities (Experts, Agile Community of Practice, Artificial Intelligence etc).

Ready to drive with Continental? Take the first step and fill in the online application.

Continental develops pioneering technologies and services for sustainable and connected mobility of people and their goods. Founded in 1871, the technology company offers safe, efficient, intelligent and affordable solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic and transportation. 

The Automotive group sector comprises technologies for passive safety, brake, chassis, motion, and motion control systems. Innovative solutions for assisted and automated driving, display and operating technologies, as well as audio and camera solutions for the vehicle interior, are also part of the portfolio, as is intelligent information and communication technology for the mobility services of fleet operators and commercial vehicle manufacturers. Comprehensive activities relating to connectivity technologies, vehicle electronics and high-performance computers round off the range of products and services.